Multi-purpose sail craft

ABSTRACT

A sailing rig for a board type craft is supported in position on the craft by a universal joint and stays that are attached to the mast and are adjustably fastened to the craft to allow the mast to be positioned for optimum sailing efficiency. The craft is generally an elongated board having a large radius cross-section bottom and a shallow recess or cockpit. The craft may be fitted with a rudder and a dagger board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to watercraft and more particularly a sailing craft The modern board type sailing craft or windsurfer is one of the fastest today as it is able to reach speeds of up to forty-five knots. This is achieved by utilizing highly developed rigs supported and balanced by the weight and athletic skill of a single operator standing on the board, grasping a curved wishbone boom. In this position the operator is able to steer the board by moving the sail fore and aft, in and out, all by a universal joint at the base of the mast. It can therefore be realized that due to the demanding nature of controlling the sailboard, the sport is limited to younger athletic operators. It is extremely difficult even for an experienced sailor to learn to operate a sailing board with any success and as a result they spend most of their time falling off the board and become discouraged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The instant invention overcomes some of these difficulties by providing a modified rig. The rig is essentially a mast supported in vertical position by three easily adjusted stays with the sail angle controlled by a sheet connected to the boom. This allows one to use the sailing craft as a conventional dinghy with the operator seated and steering by means of a tiller and rudder. Alternately the sailboard may be sailed with the operator standing and steering the same rig directly by the wishbone boom. Essentially, the invention provides a rig for a sailing craft that includes a mast, a wishbone boom and a sail wherein the mast is supported on a universal joint mounting and has shrouds that include a forestay and two sides stays fastened to the mast and adjustably fastened to the sailing craft

[0003] The sailing craft is preferably a substantially flat board having a shallow longitudinal cockpit or recess and a slightly curved bottom cross section of large radius. Into the cockpit area a rig is mounted with adjustable and removable stays supporting the mast.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a rig for a sailing craft that enables multi-uses.

[0005] A further object is to provide a rig for a sailing craft that allows an inexperienced sailor to enjoy the speed of windsurfing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 illustrated a side view of the sailing craft fitted with the rig of the invention;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a top view thereof;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sailing craft with the rig of the invention; and

[0009]FIG. 4 is a side view of the sailing craft used as a windsurfer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a mast 10 supported on a sailing craft by a swivel universal joint 12. The mast is held in position by stays there being forestay 14 and side stays 16, 17. Preferably the stays pass through blocks 18, 19, and 20 that may be of the jam cleat type so that the sailor mat easily release and refasten the stay by a simple movement. It will be noted that the forestay has a lead block 21 as well as the jam cleat block 20. A sail 24 is suitably fastened to the mast and is controlled by a wishbone boom 26.

[0011] A suitable boat or craft 30 is illustrated and comprises a generally flat cross section with slightly rounded underbody 32 and a shallow recess or cockpit 34. At a suitable location substantially longitudinally central of the craft is a dagger board 36 and at the stem there is fitted a rudder 38 with tiller 39. A small deck area 40 extending inwardly from the gunwales, provides a surface upon which to stand or sit.

[0012] As seen in FIG. 1 the rig is used on the craft as a sit down sailing craft. In this form the rig is precisely adjusted to maximize its effectiveness. For example, easing the leeward stay 17 and tightening the windward stay 16 may pull the whole rig pulled to windward, which creates a rig that generates upward lift in the same fashion as an airplane wing. This has the effect of lifting the craft out of the water to reduce the wetted area and increase speed. Similarly the adjustable forestay enables the mast to be raked to eliminate “weather” helm that is a drag factor with a conventional stayed rig. Thus in the sit down form, the craft will approach windsurfer speeds.

[0013] The dual nature of the craft and rig will enable a seated operator to learn to steer the craft via sail movement only. When the tiller is tied in a central position, a seated operator may learn to steer the boat via sail movement. Alternately, the tiller may be tied in a central position as in FIG. 4 and the craft used as a windsurfer. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sailing rig for a boat comprising a mast, a wishbone boom and a sail, said mast having a universal joint at the foot thereof, stays consisting of a forestay and two side stays, said stays fastened to the mast and means for adjustably fastening the stays to a boat whereby the angle of the mast may be adjusted for optimum sailing.
 2. In combination with a boat a sailing rig as in claim 1 mounted on said boat, said boat having a dagger centerboard.
 3. A combination as in claim 2 wherein a rudder and tiller are mounted on one end of the boat remote from the mast mounting.
 4. A multi purpose sailing craft having an elongated body with a shallow cockpit and a large radius bottom cross section, a mast, a wishbone boom a sail, the mast having a universal joint at the base thereof and removably fastened to the craft, adjustable stays that adjust in length and are fastened between the mast and the craft.
 5. A craft as in claim 4 wherein a tiller and rudder are fastened to one end of the craft substantially removed from the mast mounting.
 6. A craft as in claim 4 wherein the stays are secured to the mast and are secured to the craft by blocks and jam cleats. 